India Post:New Stamp on Ekalavya

India Post has issued a commemorative postage stamp on Ekalavya on 27 Dec 2013. Ekalavya is a character from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharat. He was a young prince of the Nishadha, a confederation of jungle tribes in Ancient India. Ekalavya aspired to study archery in the gurukul of Guru Dronacharya , the greatest known teacher in the use of weaponry and martial art knowledge at the time. He was son of Vyatraj Hiranyadhanus, a talented soldier in the army of King of Mgadha .

Magadha was ruled by Jarasandha , who was at odds with the Kingdom of Hastinapura.Ekalavya sincerely sought the mentor of Drona in weaponry and martial art. Ekalavya is called as one of the foremost of kings in the Rajasuya Yagna where he honours Yudhishthira with his shoes. Though he didn\’t have his right thumb, he was noted as a very powerful archer and charioteer.